Sewing Machines
I know what you're thinking, 'What a booorrrrring subject'.
lol
But listen up.....
I pondered the idea a few weeks ago of buying a sewing machine. I've not held any interest in sewing for as long as I can remember up until the end of November last year when I was introduced by my sister to cross stitch. I've been sewing little projects and regularly attending the cross stitch club which is always a fun couple of hours. Now, I'm sewing my own large project called 'Fairy Castle' By Mike Powell, which is a quirky design on Castle Coch in Taffs Well. Everyone around also calls it a fairy castle. Though I had no intention of having a second large project on the go the same time, I'm also sewing a 'Felicity Wishes' for Y Bwthyn Cancer day centre (I attend every Thursday). And so, I'm beginning to feel I want to expand and progress in areas of sewing.
Being a terrible addict of Create and Craft TV I've been watching the shows on Singer Sewing machines.
What a wonderful name I hear you cry. You can't get better than Singer I hear you cry. Well, hold your horses and block that dialling finger. As much as I was tempted, I held off ordering and decided to check the internet for sewing machines out there first.
As I've not used a sewing machine since the age of 14 I felt I needed to read up loads as I knew 'nothing' on the subject. Research led me to names I'd never heard of but are top brands in the market place.
I've learned by this exercise how important it is to RESEARCH before you buy. How important it is to read peoples reviews and reports on things and not only read these reviews but actually watch the U-Tube footage of people using the machines as they demonstrate good and bad points.
Well after a few days of reading on Janome, Viking, Brother, Toyota and shops own brands etc I was ready for the next step. To find a place and company close by who sell them. That proved to be a little harder as not many shops actually sell household machines.
After a few phone calls I'd decided that Newport was my destination so off I trundled along the M4, got lost on one round-a-bout before eventually parking up.
Having more or less decided what machine I wanted before I left, as you'd guess, after having played on them as well as checking how heavy they were, I chose something else. I have to admit, it was the weight and the simplicity of the machine for an absolute beginner as myself as well as the fact it was on a superb discount sale price.
I bought a Brother DS-120.
SINGERS
By the way folks as regards to Singer Sewing machines, if you have a new one and get on well with it. Fantastic. If you have a model that's older than 6-7 years you've probably got a good one also.
Unfortunately my research highlighted that most Singer Sewing machines these days are not recommended purchase. Apparently the company went bust a few years ago and are now owned by chinese or japanese company and sadly the reliability just isn't there on the cheaper models (£300 and below, I didn't find much written on the higher price machines, but I didn't look very hard either as 300 is way out of my price range).
The amount of bad reviews for the poor quality and unreliability of Singer ranks alongside machines for £20 - £50. It appears to be a lottory whether you get a good one or not, and sadly the odds are not in favour of good ones by what I've read and seen.
End moral, you get what you pay for.
The point of my blog I supppose is that these days, it is SO very important to research what you're considering buying.
Thanks for reading
Nibs
:o)
But listen up.....
I pondered the idea a few weeks ago of buying a sewing machine. I've not held any interest in sewing for as long as I can remember up until the end of November last year when I was introduced by my sister to cross stitch. I've been sewing little projects and regularly attending the cross stitch club which is always a fun couple of hours. Now, I'm sewing my own large project called 'Fairy Castle' By Mike Powell, which is a quirky design on Castle Coch in Taffs Well. Everyone around also calls it a fairy castle. Though I had no intention of having a second large project on the go the same time, I'm also sewing a 'Felicity Wishes' for Y Bwthyn Cancer day centre (I attend every Thursday). And so, I'm beginning to feel I want to expand and progress in areas of sewing.
Being a terrible addict of Create and Craft TV I've been watching the shows on Singer Sewing machines.
What a wonderful name I hear you cry. You can't get better than Singer I hear you cry. Well, hold your horses and block that dialling finger. As much as I was tempted, I held off ordering and decided to check the internet for sewing machines out there first.
As I've not used a sewing machine since the age of 14 I felt I needed to read up loads as I knew 'nothing' on the subject. Research led me to names I'd never heard of but are top brands in the market place.
I've learned by this exercise how important it is to RESEARCH before you buy. How important it is to read peoples reviews and reports on things and not only read these reviews but actually watch the U-Tube footage of people using the machines as they demonstrate good and bad points.
Well after a few days of reading on Janome, Viking, Brother, Toyota and shops own brands etc I was ready for the next step. To find a place and company close by who sell them. That proved to be a little harder as not many shops actually sell household machines.
After a few phone calls I'd decided that Newport was my destination so off I trundled along the M4, got lost on one round-a-bout before eventually parking up.
Having more or less decided what machine I wanted before I left, as you'd guess, after having played on them as well as checking how heavy they were, I chose something else. I have to admit, it was the weight and the simplicity of the machine for an absolute beginner as myself as well as the fact it was on a superb discount sale price.
I bought a Brother DS-120.
SINGERS
By the way folks as regards to Singer Sewing machines, if you have a new one and get on well with it. Fantastic. If you have a model that's older than 6-7 years you've probably got a good one also.
Unfortunately my research highlighted that most Singer Sewing machines these days are not recommended purchase. Apparently the company went bust a few years ago and are now owned by chinese or japanese company and sadly the reliability just isn't there on the cheaper models (£300 and below, I didn't find much written on the higher price machines, but I didn't look very hard either as 300 is way out of my price range).
The amount of bad reviews for the poor quality and unreliability of Singer ranks alongside machines for £20 - £50. It appears to be a lottory whether you get a good one or not, and sadly the odds are not in favour of good ones by what I've read and seen.
End moral, you get what you pay for.
The point of my blog I supppose is that these days, it is SO very important to research what you're considering buying.
Thanks for reading
Nibs
:o)
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8 Comments
And by the way, I don't think the singers are selling well on create and craft. Been watching the same recordings from weeks ago. lol. Having done the research that I have I now realise create and craft are telling some little porky pies.
slapped wrist for create and craft, naughty boys and girls. Make your sales pitch the best on the planet but not by porky pies. :o)
Tony, I didn't know they made racing cars! Well, that's something else I've learned today. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your memories of the old but great machines. I too believe they were the BEST.
and yes, I've been having fun with my new Brother machine, Lovely and light for me to handle and so simple.
Nibs
:o)
I now have the electric Singer, early 1970s I think it is, which was still going strong the last time I used it. The round bobbins and needles are standard so no probs with parts so far.
I'd heard of Singer racing cars, Tony but didn't realise it was the same Company. We really do learn something new every day. :-)
I assume you mean by that a needle that moves side to side and isn't static. I remember nothing more from school than the needle went up and down and the thread magically wove through the cloth. lol. Was told I was rubbish so went no further.
I bought some scrap material from a local textile shop that makes materials of all sorts on treforest trading estate not far from me and made a little bag for myself. Only big enough to put in my cottons and full bobbins. It's so quiet, smooth and quite effortless. Just choose the stitch, press the peddle and watch it go. Ever so simple.
Next project - another bag - then, I've been given a massive bag of lavender, so whilst it's all drying out I'll set to work creating round pouches to use as tea coasters. Apparently the hot surface of the cup warms the lavender and increases the scent.
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